as in headache
something that is a source of irritation
even what seems to be a dream job usually turns out to have its fair share of rubs
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to wear
to damage or diminish by continued friction
the brake pads were rubbed away as a result of years of use
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to sand
to make smooth by friction
the furniture restorer rubbed the board perfectly smooth with sandpaper
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to polish
to make smooth or glossy usually by repeatedly applying surface pressure
the butler rubbed the silver tea set until it gleamed
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of rub
Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 29 Aug. 2025
In 2023, an Arlington entrepreneur saw his special BBQ rub make it on H-E-B shelves.
—Matthew Leclercq, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Aug. 2025
Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Other signs that your cat is content and relaxed with you include kneading, and head rubbing and bunting.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rub
Noun
But Oluwaseyi’s climb to the higher echelons of the sport is the understood, yet bittersweet rub for MLS, which is high-level soccer but not, say, the NBA, NFL, NHL or Major League Baseball.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 29 Aug. 2025
In 2023, an Arlington entrepreneur saw his special BBQ rub make it on H-E-B shelves.
—Matthew Leclercq, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Aug. 2025
Verb
But to have everyone there, rubbing elbows and being just as outlandish and quirky as ever, three decades ago just felt off.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Other signs that your cat is content and relaxed with you include kneading, and head rubbing and bunting.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rub
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rub
Noun
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Longer sales cycles and shrinking deal sizes are becoming big headaches for sales leaders.—
Sarah Goodall,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
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The world’s most valuable company may now be facing another China headache, just days after Beijing deemed the chipmaker to have violated the country’s antitrust legislation.—
Nicholas Gordon,
Fortune,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The photo released shows what appears to be a man wearing a largely black outfit with an American flag on his shirt, a black cap, and black sunglasses.—
Connor Greene,
Time,
12 Sep. 2025
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Posing next to Colman Domingo and Salma Hayek Pinault (who wore an elegant black Balenciaga suit dress), Moore’s glitzy look shone.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Some people take all the components off the frame, strip off all the decals, then get the whole thing sanded and powder-coated with a fresh coat of paint.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
9 Sep. 2025
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The companies that scale beyond pilots don’t try to sand away every rough edge.—
Jason Snyder,
Forbes.com,
26 Aug. 2025
Verb
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What color would the statue be if it were polished as envisioned?—
Theo Burman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
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Lopez stepped out looking both cozy and polished in an oversized tailored and tied cream jacket and a slinky matching floor-length skirt.—
Grace McCarty,
Glamour,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
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An assertive Iran has been especially a thorn in the side of Saudi Arabia, which strives to be the dominant Muslim majority power in the region.—
David Mednicoff,
The Conversation,
9 Sep. 2025
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For the second straight season, Geno Smith has proven to be a thorn in the Patriots’ side, even if the veteran quarterback doesn’t see it that way.—
Lance Reynolds,
Boston Herald,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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For capital-intensive industries, that volatility erodes the policy stability required for long-term investment, adding another layer of uncertainty to already fragile markets.—
Felicia Jackson,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
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But the brand’s relationship with Unilever eroded over the years.—
John Liu,
CNN Money,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Just keep grinding, keep working.—
Matt Gelb,
New York Times,
11 Sep. 2025
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That’s when most of the area’s biggest theaters grind back into action.—
David Lyman,
The Enquirer,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Personal communicators are wired to smooth things over.—
Mark Murphy,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
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Aveda Hand Relief Moisturizing Crème gets it right with a rich yet fast-absorbing formula that pairs glycerin and aloe vera for lasting hydration, while exfoliating lactic acid gently smooths rough patches.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rub.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rub. Accessed 19 Sep. 2025.
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